The Candy Cane Christmas Cactus is a visually distinct holiday plant, cherished for its festive appearance. This variety offers a unique aesthetic, making it a popular choice for a charming houseplant, especially during the holiday season.
Unique Candy Cane Characteristics
The Candy Cane Christmas Cactus, a form of Schlumbergera truncata or a hybrid, stands out due to its characteristic variegation. Its flattened stem segments display a blend of creamy white, yellow, or light green. These segments often develop striking pink, red, or purple edges, particularly when exposed to brighter light or cooler temperatures. This distinctive coloration gives the plant its “candy cane” resemblance. The plant typically reaches a height of 8-12 inches indoors, with a wider spread.
Candy Cane Christmas Cactus Care
Caring for the Candy Cane Christmas Cactus requires understanding its specific needs. Appropriate conditions ensure its health and encourage its unique coloration and blooms.
Light
The Candy Cane Christmas Cactus thrives in bright, indirect light. Placing it near a window with filtered sunlight, such as an east-facing window or a south/west-facing window with a sheer curtain. Direct, intense sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day, can scorch the leaves or bleach its vibrant coloration. Inadequate light, conversely, can lead to leggy growth and fewer blooms.
Watering
Water the Candy Cane Christmas Cactus when the top inch or two of the soil feels dry. Water thoroughly until water drains from the bottom of the pot, then ensure no standing water remains in the saucer, as overwatering can lead to root rot and mushy stems. As a tropical cactus, it prefers consistent moisture rather than prolonged drought. Reduce watering during its dormant period.
Soil
This plant requires a well-draining, airy potting mix. A mix formulated for cacti and succulents is suitable, or combine regular potting soil with perlite or fir bark for enhanced drainage. Good drainage is crucial because these epiphytic cacti, in their natural habitat, grow on trees or rocks, not in dense soil. This prevents roots from sitting in overly wet conditions.
Temperature and Humidity
The Candy Cane Christmas Cactus prefers moderate temperatures, typically ranging from 60-75°F (15-24°C) during the day. Nighttime temperatures should be cooler, around 55-65°F (13-18°C), to encourage blooming. It is sensitive to extreme temperature changes and cold drafts, which can cause bud drop. As a tropical plant, it also benefits from higher humidity, ideally 50-60%. Increase humidity by misting, using a pebble tray (ensuring the pot doesn’t sit directly in water), or a humidifier.
Fertilization
Fertilize during its active growing season, typically spring and summer. Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (e.g., 20-20-20 or 10-10-10) diluted to half-strength, monthly or every two to four weeks. Avoid fertilizing in late fall and winter, especially when the plant prepares for or is in bloom, as this can hinder flower production or lead to salt buildup.
Encouraging Abundant Blooms
To encourage abundant blooms, specific environmental cues are necessary, mimicking its natural cycle. As a “short-day” bloomer, it requires extended periods of darkness. From early to mid-October, provide 12-14 hours of uninterrupted darkness each night for six to eight weeks. Even minor light exposure during this period can prevent bud formation.
During the day, it should still receive bright, indirect light. Cooler nighttime temperatures (50-55°F / 10-13°C) also initiate flower buds. Reduced watering, allowing the soil to dry slightly more, can signal dormancy and prepare for blooming. Once buds form, maintain consistent moisture and avoid moving the plant to prevent bud drop.
Propagating Your Candy Cane Christmas Cactus
Propagating is straightforward using stem cuttings. Select a healthy stem and cut a section of two to three segments. Allow the cut end to “callus” for a day or two to prevent rot.
Once callused, insert the cutting an inch deep into a well-draining potting mix, similar to that for mature plants. Provide warmth, bright indirect light, and moderate humidity for rooting. Roots typically form within weeks, and new growth indicates successful propagation.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Bud drop can be caused by sudden environmental changes like moving the plant, drafts, or temperature and light fluctuations. Both overwatering and underwatering also lead to bud drop. If not blooming, reasons include insufficient darkness, warm temperatures during bud induction, or lack of a cool, dormant period.
Wilting or mushy stems indicate overwatering and root rot; reduce watering immediately and ensure the soil dries out. Lack of variegation or fading pink edges suggests insufficient light; move the plant to brighter, indirect light to restore color. Common pests include mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, and fungus gnats. Mealybugs appear as small, white, cotton-like masses; spider mites cause fine webbing and speckled leaves. Manage these by wiping them off with rubbing alcohol or applying insecticidal soap or neem oil.